THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
- 27(5 
it is out of their power to procure. They preserve their 
flesh in honey, and then place it in the hollow of a tree, or 
a wooden case well chinamed, till they have occasion to use 
it. This honey, which they employ much of their time in 
finding out, and which they barter in considerable quantities 
with the Candians, is also used by the latter for a variety 
of purposes. A prevalent idea that they employ it to em- 
balm their dead, makes many people on the coast averse to 
taste honey from the fear of having it only after it has 
served a former purpose; and I must confess that from this 
prejudice, 1 felt no great inclination to use any wild honey, 
unless it was brought down in combs. 
The dogs of the Bedahs are remarkable for their sagacity, 
and not only readily trace out game, but also distinguish 
one species of animals from another. On the approach of 
any carnivorous animal, or of a stranger, they immediately 
put their masters upon their guard. These faithful animals 
are indeed invaluable to them and constitute their chief riches. 
When their daughters are married, hunting dogs form their 
portion; and a Bedah is as unwilling to part with his dog 
as an Arabian with his horse. Some time before the last 
war broke out between us and Holland, a Dutch officer pro- 
cured a couple of these dogs, which he carried to Surat, and 
sold for four hundred rix-dollars. 
These Bedahs who venture to converse with the other 
natives, are represented to be courteous, and in address far 
beyond their state of civilization. Their religion is little 
